Mesh refinement ergodicity in heterogeneous concrete fracture: a combined virtual-interface element approach
Chacón G, Rivarola FL, van Huyssteen D, Steinmann P, Etse G (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 13
Article Number: 1906980
DOI: 10.3389/fmats.2026.1906980
Abstract
Introduction – Many mesoscale fracture studies focus primarily on reducing error through progressive mesh refinement. However, in heterogeneous materials such as concrete, fracture predictions are influenced not only by numerical discretization but also by the underlying meso- or micro-structure. Methods – In this paper, an efficient procedure for modeling complex fracture processes in concrete structures is presented, combining virtual and interface elements and exploiting observed statistical ergodicity. Concrete is modeled at the mesoscopic scale as a heterogeneous material comprising a mortar matrix and randomly distributed aggregate inclusions, connected through cohesive mortar-mortar and mortar-aggregate interfaces of differentiated strength. The procedure is demonstrated on the benchmark problem of a notched concrete beam (400 mm (Formula presented) 100 mm, with a 4 mm wide, 30 mm deep eccentric notch) under three-point bending, considering mesh densities of 600, 800, and 1200 elements in the active fracture zone and ensembles of up to 100 stochastic realizations per configuration. Three sources of variability are investigated: mesh geometry with a fixed aggregate arrangement, random aggregate position with a fixed mesh density, and the mortar, aggregate, and interface mechanical properties. Results – The results demonstrate that the ensemble-averaged peak load and its standard deviation converge within approximately 75 realizations, and that the variability induced by aggregate placement is approximately three to five times larger than the variability associated with mesh discretization. Discussion – These findings suggest that, for heterogeneous mesoscale fracture analyses, increasing the number of realizations provides more reliable predictions of the expected structural response than further refining individual meshes.
Authors with CRIS profile
Daniel van Huyssteen
Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM)
Paul Steinmann
Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik (LTM)
Involved external institutions
Argentina (AR)How to cite
APA:
Chacón, G., Rivarola, F.L., van Huyssteen, D., Steinmann, P., & Etse, G. (2026). Mesh refinement ergodicity in heterogeneous concrete fracture: a combined virtual-interface element approach. Frontiers in Materials, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2026.1906980
MLA:
Chacón, Gabriel, et al. "Mesh refinement ergodicity in heterogeneous concrete fracture: a combined virtual-interface element approach." Frontiers in Materials 13 (2026).
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